Professor, Dan Gerling
Ph.D.: University of California, Riverside, 1965
Phone:

(Office) +972-3-640-8611

(Fax) +972-3-640-7830

E-mail: dange@tauex.tau.ac.il
Room#: Room 304, Sherman Building
Member's portrait
  Personal Information
  Research Interests
  Selected Publications
  Students and Lab Members

Personal Information

Education

Period (dates) Name of University Subject Degree
1956-1959 Hebrew University, Faculty of Agriculture Agriculture B.Sc.
1960-1965

University of California, Berkeley and Riverside

Entomology Ph.D.


Title of Doctoral dissertation: Biological Studies on Encarsia pergandeilla (Howard) and Eretmocerus californicus (Howard) (Hymenoptera:Aphelinidae), Parasites of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Homoptera: Aleurodidae).
Supervising Professor: C. Fleschner.



Experience (since 1990):

1990
Visiting professor, Department of Zoology, all Union Academy of Sciences, Leningrad (1 month).
1992
Visiting expert for Bemisia- induced problems, CARDI Jamaica (3 weeks).
1994

Convener and head of organizing committee, BARD sponsored international workshop on Bemisia tabaci,

held at Shoresh, Israel 3-7 Oct.

1995
Visiting professor, Beijing Normal University (1 month)
1995 - 1996
Visiting professor, USDA Western Cotton Research Lab., Phoenix, Arizona, USA (9 months)
2000 - 2001
Visiting professor, USDA Insect Bio Control Lab. Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. (10 months)
2001
Visiting scientist, CORBANA, Costa Rica (6 weeks)
2002
Visiting professor, USDA Bio Control Lab. Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. (3 months)
2003 Visiting professor, USDA Bio Control Lab. Beltsville Agricultural Research  Center. (4 months)
2004 Visiting professor, USDA Bio Control Lab. Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. (2 months)
July 2006 Visiting professor University of Sao Paolo at Jaboticabal, Brazil (1 week)
Feb. 2007 Visiting lecturer, Makerere University Kampala (2 weeks)
Dec 2007-Sept 2008 Special FAO consultant, integrated management of whitefly and other citrus pests in Eritrea (30 days).


Additional projects:

 Scientist-in-charge: The Peres Center for Peace integrated crop management program (2004- )
 Advisor: Tropical whitefly control program – IITA Uganda (2000 - )
 Board Member: International whitefly study network


Research Interests

 

The scientific interests focus around the ecology and behavior of insects, in particular whiteflies and their natural enemies in order to understand their relationships in a present and evolutionary perspective. I do research on the occurrence of natural whitefly enemies in the field, their impact on field populations and the possibilities for using them as controlling agents in agricultural fields. I also study life cycles and tritrophic relationships wild whiteflies their hosts and natural enemies and examine the defensive mechanisms of the former.

In the laboratory, I examine the interrelationships and physiology of natural enemies, in particular parasitoids, with their hosts in the context of ditrophic and tritrophic feeding systems.


Research projects


1. Tritrophic relationships between Mediterranean perennial flora their whitefly pests and their parasitoids


2. Life cycles and adaptations of whiteflies occurring on natural vegetation


3. Biology, morphology and behavior on whitefly parasitoids: Encarsia and Eretmocerus species


4. Host feeding in Eretmocerus mundus.


Selected Publications

Selected publications


Schwartz, A.; Gerling, D., 1974. Adult biology of Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) under laboratory conditions. Entomophaga, v.19, p.482-492

D. Gerling, U. Motro and R. Horowitz,1980. Dynamics of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) attacking cotton in the coastal plain of Israel. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 70, pp 213-219

Wool, D., Gerling, D., Bellotti, A. C. and Morales, F. J. (1993), Esterase electrophoretic variation in Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hom., Aleyrodidae) among host plants and localities in Israel. Journal of Applied Entomology, 115: 185–196.

D. Gerling and P. Sinai, 1994. Buprofezin effects on two parasitoids species of whitefly (Homoptera; Aleyrodidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 87, pp. 842–846

Wool, D., Calvert, L., Constantino, L.M., Bellotti, A.C. and Gerling, D., 1994. Differentiation of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hom.; Aleyrodidae) populations in Colombia. J. Appl. Entomol. 117, pp. 122–134.


Gerling, D. 1996. Status of Bemisia tabaci in the Mediterranean countries: Opportunities for biological control. Biological Control. 6:11-12


Gerling, D. V. Kravchenko, and M. Lazare. 1997. Dynamics of Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in Israeli Cotton fields, in relation to whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) populations. Environmental Entomology. 26(4): 815-827

Gerling D, Fried R 1997 Density-related sterility in Eretmocerus mundus. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 84:33-39

Gerling, D. and Steven E. Naranjo. 1998. The Effect of Insecticide Treatments in Cotton Fields on the Levels of Parasitism of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) sl. Biological Control 12:33-41

Nelson, D. R., Guershon, M. and D. Gerling, 1998. The surface wax composition of the exuviae and adults of Aleyrodes singularis. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology B 119:655-665.

Gerling D., Quicke D.L.J., and T. Orion 1999 Oviposition mechanisms in the whitefly parasitoids Encarsia transvena and Eretmocerus mundus. BioControl 43, 289-297.

Guershon, M. and D. Gerling. 1999. Predatory behavior of Delphastus pusillus in relation to the phenotypic plasticity of Bemisia tabaci nymphs. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 92: 239-248.

Gerling, D. 2000. Whiteflies revisited. Proceeding of the XXI International Congress of Entomology, Iguacu falls, Brazil. :64-68.

Guershon, M. and D. Gerling. 2001. Effect of Foliar tomentosity on phenotypic plasticity in Bemisia tabaci. Journal of Applied Entomology (accepted).

Guershon, M. and D. Gerling. 2001. Parental care in the whitefly Aleyrodes singularis. Ecological Entomology. (accepted).

Inbar, M., H. Doostdar, D. Gerling, and R. T. Mayer. 2001. Induction of systemic acquired resistance in cotton by BTH has a negligible effect on phytophagous insects. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 99:65-70.

Hoffmann, I. , D. Gerling, U. B. Kyiogwom, and A. Mane-Bielfeldt. 2001. Farmers' management strategies to maintain soil fertility in a remote area in northwest Nigeria . Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 86:263-275.

Gelman, D. B., M. B. Blackburn, J. S. Hu, and D. Gerling. 2002. The Nymphal-Adult Molt of the Silverleaf Whitefly (Bemisia Argentifolii:): Timing, Regulation, and Progress. Arch. Insect Biochem Physiol. 51:67-79.

Gelman, D. B., Blackburn , M. B., Hu, J. S., and Gerling, D. 2002. Timing and regulation of moling/metamorphosis in the whitefly: cues for the development of its parasitoid, Encarsia formosa , pp. 12-21. 2001, University of   Wroclaw .

Gelman, D. B. and D. Gerling.   2003. Host plant pubescence: Effect on sliverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii, fourth instar and pharate adult dimensions and ecdysteroid titer fluctuations. Journal Of Insect Science 3[25], 1-8.


Gerling, D. and Rejouan N. 2004. Age-related pupal defenses against congeneric internecine activity in Encarsia species. Entomologia. Experimentalis. et. Applicata. 110:87-93.

Gerling, D., O. Rottenberg, and T. S. J. Bellows. 2004. Role of Natural Enemies and Other Factors in the Dynamics of Field Populations of the Whitefly Siphoninus phillyreae (Haliday) in Introduced and Native Environments. Biological Control 31:199-209.

Gelman D.B., Gerling D, Blackburn MB, Hu C. 2005. Host-parasite interactions between whiteflies and their parasitoids. Arch. Insect Biochem Physiol. 60:209-

Gelman D.B., Gerling D., Blackburn M.B. 2005. Host-parasitoid interactions relating to penetration of Bemisia tabaci by its parasitoid Eretmocerus mundus. Journal of Insect Science 5

Otim M, Legg JP, Kyamanywa S, Polaszek A, Gerling D. 2005. Occurrence and activity of Bemisia tabaci parasitoids on cassava in different agro-eologies in Uganda. BioControl 50: 87-95

Gottlieb, Y., M. Ghanim, E. Chiel, D. Gerling, V. Portnoy, S. Steinberg, G. Tzuri, A. R. Horowitz, E. Belausov, N. Mozes-Daube, S. Kontsedalov, M. Gershon, S. Gal, N. Katzir, and E. Zchori-Fein. 2006. Identification and localization of a Rickettsia sp. in Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72:3646-3652


Otim M, Legg JP, Kyamanywa S, Polaszek A, Gerling D. 2006. Population dynamics of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera:Aleyrodidae) parasitoids on cassava mosaic disease/resistant and susceptible varieties. Biocontrol Sci. Technol. 16:205-14


Soroker et al., 2006 Soroker, V., Gindin, G., Glazer, I., Pinhas, J., Levsky, S., Eliahu, M., Biton, S., Haberman, A., Nakache, Y., Gerling, D., Mizrach, A., Hetzroni, A., 2006. The red palm weevil infestation in Israel: occurrence and management. In: I Jornada International sobre el Picudo Rojo de la Palmeras. Agroalimed, Generalitat Valenciana, pp. 59–79.

Asiimwe P, Ecaat J. S. Otim M, Gerling D, Kyamanywa S, Legg J. 2007. Life-table analysis of mortality factors affecting populations of Bemisia tabaci on cassava in Uganda. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 122:37-44

Asiimwe, P., Kyamanywa, S., Gerling, D. and Legg, J. P. 2007. Evaluation of Serangium n. sp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) a predator of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on cassava. Journal of Applied Entomology 131: 76-80

Mahadav, A., Gerling, D., Gottlieb, Y. Czosnek H. and Ganim, M. 2008. Parasitization by the wasp Eretmocerus mundus induces transcription of genes related to immune response and symbiotic bacteria proliferation in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci BMC Genomics, 9:342

Otim, M., G. Kyalo1, S. Kyamanywa, P. Asiimwe, J. P. Legg M. Guershon and D. Gerling, 2008. Parasitism of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera:Aleyrodidae) by Eretmocerus mundus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on cassava. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science Vol. 28, 3, pp. 158–167, 2008

Gerling, D. Eyal Erel, Moshe Guershon and Moshe Inbar. 2009. Bionomics of Encarsia scapeata Rivnay (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), tritrophic relationships and host-induced diapause. Biological Control, 49: 201–206.

Gerling, D., and Rejouan, N., 2009. Bionomics of Encarsia inaron parasitizing Bemisia tabaci in Israel: in Biological control in Protected Crops, Mediterranean Climate. IOBC wprs Bulletin Vol. 49 :91-96


Book editing


Gerling, D. 1990. Whiteflies: Their bionomics, pest status and management. Intercept Andover UK 348pp.

Gerling, D. and R.T. Mayer 1996. Bemisia: 1995 Taxonomy, Biology, Damage, Control and Management. Intercept Andover UK. 702 pp.


Reviews

Gerling, D. 1986. Natural enemies of Bemisia tabaci, biological characteristics and potential as biological control agents. A review. Agric. Ecosystems and Environ. 17: 99-111.

Gerling, D., H. H. W. Velthuis and A. Hefetz. 1989 Bionomics of the large Carpenter bees (Xylocopa). Ann. Rev. Ent. 34:163-190

Gerling, D., O. Alomar and J. Arno 2001. Biological Control of Bemsia tabaci using predators and parasitoids. Crop Protection. 20:779-799

Inbar, M. and Gerling D. 2008. Plant-Mediated Interactions Between Whiteflies, Herbivores, and Natural Enemies. Annual Review of Entomology 53: 431-448

Chapter in books

Gerling, D. 1990. Natural Enemies of whiteflies: Predators and Parasitoids. In: Whiteflies, their bionomics, pest status and management, D. Gerling, (ed.) Intercept, Andover UK :147-186

Viggiani, G. and D. Gerling. 1994. Host - range increase of indigenous and introduced parasitoids.. In Narang,S.K.; Bartlett,A.; Faust,R.M. (eds). Applications of genetics to arthropods of biological control significance. CRC Press Boca Raton. US. : 147-157.

Gerling, D., and V, Kravchenko, 1996. Pest management of Bemisia out of doors, In: Gerling, D. and R.T. Mayer.1996.(eds) Bemisia: 1995 Taxonomy, Biology, Damage, Control and Management. Intercept, Andover, UK. : 667-681.

Kogan, M., Gerling, D. and J.V. Maddox 1999. Enhancement of Biological Control in Annual Agricultural Environments. In: Handbook of Biological Control, T. Bellows, T. Fisher, (eds), Academic press : 789-818

Legg, J., Dan Gerling and Peter Neuenschwander, 2003.   Biological Control of Whiteflies in sub-Saharan Africa: in   Biological control in IPM systems in Africa,   P. Neuenschwander, C. Borgemeister and J. Langewald editors; pp. 87-100 CABI publications, Cambridge, UK.


Arnó, J., Gabarra, R. Liu .T.X., Simmons, A.M. and Gerling D. 2010 Biological control agents for Bemisia tabaci, predators and parasitoids, pp.385-421 In Bemisia: Bionomics and management of a global pest. P.A. Stansly and S.E. Naranjo, editors Springer, 540 pp.


Students and Lab Members

Students –at present

Ph.D.


Irina Sonshein 2005- Biotaxonomy of the spider wasp genera, Gonaporus Ashmead, 1902 and Xenaporus Ashmead, 1902 (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae)


M.Sc.


Gerber Polina 2010-  

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